Pawan Hans Limited is planning to set up four heli-hubs in the country, with the first one in New Delhi expected to be commissioned at Rohini by June 2016.
Addressing a press conference here today, BP Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of Pawan Hans, said, “Each of the Heli-hubs will require an investment of about Rs 400 crore to set up and will play a role in growth of the helicopter as a facilitator for air travel to local destinations, for travel and tourism, and to support healthcare requirements as an ambulance service.”
India currently has about 270 helicopters and is expected to require about 800 to 1000 helicopters over the next 10 years. As against 270 in India, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil has more than 200 helicopters, he said.
“From 2013, the role of Pawan Hans has been redefined for not just running and management of helicopters but Sea Planes, take up MRO activity and be a facilitator for the growth of helicopter business in the country. We have partnered with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and plan to set up a MRO facility for helicopters and are in talks with Airbus for MRO facility for helicopters and small planes with capacity of up to 18-20 seaters,” he said.
If the country acquires 800 to 1000 helicopters over the next 10 years and sets up related infrastructure to support the growth of helicopter travel, it will require an investment of about Rs 50,000 crore, he said.
During the India Aviation 2016, Pawan Hans has signed two MoUs - one with HAL for MRO facility and another with IRSTC for heli-tourism.
“Apart from heli-hub at New Delhi, we plan to set up one more at Guwahati and another at Navi Mumbai and are also considering another facility in South, though no decision has been taken on the location as of now,” he said.